A Level Philosophy develops razor-sharp thinking: analysis, logic, clarity of argument, ethical reasoning, and advanced writing. Those skills are prized across universities and employers.

If you’re studying the AQA A Level Philosophy (7172) with us, you might be wondering: what doors can it open after your exams?

Why A Level Philosophy Is So Valued

Philosophy trains you to tackle complex questions, spot fallacies, weigh evidence, and communicate precisely. That combination makes you adaptable and employable in many sectors.

Universities view Philosophy as a rigorous, essay-based subject that proves you can think critically and write persuasively.

University Degrees That Welcome A Level Philosophy

With AQA A Level Philosophy, you’ll have access to a wide range of degree courses, including:

• Philosophy (single or joint honours)
• PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics)
• Law (LLB) or Law with Philosophy
• Politics or International Relations
• Linguistics or Modern Languages
• Psychology or Cognitive Science
• Theology, Religion & Ethics
• Classics or Liberal Arts
• Computer Science (especially logic-focused pathways) when combined with suitable STEM A levels

Many humanities and social-science programmes value Philosophy for its emphasis on argumentation, logic, and high-level writing.

Careers Directly Related to Philosophy

• Academic researcher or lecturer (requires degree and postgraduate study)
• Teacher (secondary/FE) after a relevant degree and teacher training
• Ethics & compliance officer (public, private, or healthcare settings)
• Policy researcher/analyst (think-tanks, charities, civil service)
• Journalist, editor, or commissioning editor (opinion, culture, long-form)
• AI/data ethics or responsible innovation specialist (with relevant degree)

Careers Where Philosophy Gives You an Edge

Even if your path isn’t “pure philosophy”, the skills translate well into roles such as:

• Solicitor or barrister (via a Law degree or conversion)
• Civil service fast stream and public administration
• Management or strategy consulting
• Marketing, communications, and copywriting
• User research, product management, or UX writing
• Finance and analytics roles that value clear reasoning
• Charity/non-profit programme management and advocacy

What If You’re Not Going to University?

Employers value A Level Philosophy because it evidences critical thinking, clarity, and ethical judgement. It can help you access higher-level apprenticeships in law (paralegal/legal services), business, marketing, public services, or tech (when combined with suitable skills).

Building a Strong Subject Mix

Pair Philosophy with other essay-based subjects (e.g., English Literature, History, Politics) for humanities degrees—or with Maths/Economics for PPE and analytical courses. Always check entry requirements for your target universities.

Next Steps

Think about where you want your reasoning and writing skills to take you—university, an apprenticeship, or straight into work—and plan your subject combination accordingly.